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In recent weeks I’ve had several occasions to see and hear the Kingsmen, during that time I took the opportunity to talk with three of the younger members of the group, Nick Succi, Grant Barker and Jeremy Peace. Jeremy has been with the Kingsmen three years in February and has relocated to the Arden, NC area from his native Rome, Ga.
Many may not know this but Jeremy is multi-talented, with his first group the Cedar Valley Boys during 10 years he was with them, he played bass, piano and sang tenor. At eighteen, he moved to the Relations Quartet from Houston for about eighteen months then to the Kingsmen. By the way, Happy Twenty-fourth birthday on February 3rd to Jeremy!
Jeremy shared some thoughts about ‘traditional music, older crowds and setting trends’. “Often the older folks attend an SG concert because they can understand the words and enjoy the music; they appreciate our style of music because there is a true message in the words we sing. So ‘older folks’ keep coming, ‘this music is for YOU!” He continues, “I also think it is important to keep up the progressive styles in music so the youth can compare it to other music they hear. We try to mix some classic songs with our new progressive sound so we can give an audience of all ages something to enjoy. The Kingsmen have been around 50 years, in the past the group was a trend setter. Over the last few years it has been more laid back, enjoying singing the old songs and giving the crowd a good concert. Now in 2007, we plan to work hard to be innovative in our music and vocals. Don’t look for us to sit back… we are moving forward with a new message and rekindled fire that burns brighter every night.”
Discussing leaving home and family to travel Jeremy shares, “Traveling 4-5 days a week can get tiresome and lonely. I watch my family back home grow and move on without me. Relationships are something you have to work on daily. Don’t just expect them to be there, communication is a must. You can’t take for granted what you have waiting back at home. Always keep your priorities in order, The Heavenly Father and family.”
Nick Succi certainly understands being away from home, originally from Toronto, Ontario, he has been with the Kingsmen five and a half years. This twenty-six year old previously played the piano with the Middle Cross Quartet from age sixteen until he came with the Kingsmen at age 20.
He really enjoys being a part of a group with a live band. “I personally prefer live music to tracks any day, of course, being a musician has something to do with my preference and opinion. The Kingsmen band is its own team, not less important, but separate from the singers. There is so much live music can offer, we can turn any song around at any moment, play in a different key if necessary, allow us to be spontaneous, those are some of the advantages of a live band.”
When asked what he thinks about SGM being considered ‘old folks music’ he replies, “It’s frustrating that is the general perception but it doesn’t have to be. The message in our music can reach all ages.” He knows that this music often is embraced by youth if they have the opportunity to hear it.
Nick realizes that being on the road as a single person makes the separation from family different that it is for those who are married, he also knows his situation of having his family in a different country is also unique. But he says about staying in touch and traveling, “Cell phones help tremendously, without a question they are a marvelous invention. It’s hard especially for those that don’t travel in family groups. I don’t see my nieces and nephews near as much as I wish I could.”
Grant is relatively new with the Kingsmen, having joined them four months ago as the bass player. Born in Augusta, GA, he grew up in Winterville, NC. He is currently making plans to relocate to the Asheville area.
Grant began playing bass for the Men of Faith Quartet at 13 and he says they are a group we need to watch for. He enjoys being part of one of the few bands still in SGM. “I don’t care how good a track sounds; it’s hard to beat a tight live band!”
When asked about SGM being considered ‘old folk’s music’ his reaction, “I’d say that person needs to listen to more southern gospel music. It’s true that many groups have a somewhat vintage or old time sound but the industry is changing. With new progressive music and arrangements that are a lot more challenging, as compared to the 1,4,5 chord structures of the past there is something there for everyone. Despite my youth, I actually enjoy the sound of The Statemen, for example. But I think that today’s audience needs a refreshing quartet sound that is not contemporary but is still progressive.”
He continues, “I feel the words and music are two major components that will either make or break you with the young crowds (any crowd for that matter). I think a quartet combined with progressive (for our industry) music is the key to bringing in younger crowds. Pay attention to the music behind the singing and see if the crowds don’t reflect it in age.” He laughs, “I may actually be on to something here!”
“The Kingsmen of old were a traditional group, I feel the new Kingsmen are slightly more progressive, yet try to mix it up depending on the crowd with both new and old. We have music that will appeal to both, for example, ‘Good, Good God’ is more progressive, our next song might be more traditional like ‘Love Will Roll the Clouds Away’ on a given night.”
Grant acknowledges that traveling with a family at home would be tough; even though that is something he doesn’t have to face yet. “It takes the right kind of woman/girl to be with a gospel singer/musician. She must fully support the lifestyle, be somewhat independent and be understanding in the rough times.”
Traveling with men who have been recognized in SGM for years is best described as interesting (my word here not theirs) at times. Jeremy shared about some of the guys, “Ray is like a father to me, he gave me a chance to live my dream and fulfill the call placed on my life. I’ll always be in debt to Ray Dean Reese. Tony, well he is non-stop, on stage or off, he is a mess. Always picking with someone, unrelenting but at the same time you can tell he has a heart full of love and happiness. He is always true to form. Brandon works hard at everything he does and doesn’t stop until it is done and done right.” Nick adds, “Tony has the ability to make me laugh when I don’t feel like it and Ray is …um… Ray is very much a creature of habit.” “Traveling with Tony is well….different?... strange?....I’m just kidding!” contributes Grant.
Every group that travels has stories that will have you rolling on the floor laughing and Jeremy proved they were no exception as he told us about Phillip and the drum shield. It seems that one night as they were about to go on at a church, Phillip was sitting on a short pew stage right beside the drum shield. “Now that would seem harmless, but unbeknownst to us, (and Phil) the pew was not bolted down and the legs of the pew were very close to the center of it. As the preacher begins to introduce us, Phil slides to the end of the short, unstable pew to tell Brandon, who is already on the drums, something. As he reaches the end of the pew, the whole thing acts like a see-saw and Phil and the pew end up on the floor, smashed against the drum shield. What made it even funnier was that Phil was trapped by the shield and pew and couldn’t get up quickly.” Nick told us of a night when Randy Crawford, their lead singer at the time, was met by a gentleman after the concert. “He proceeded to tell Randy how much he enjoyed us…. using a plethora of curse words. Maybe you shouldn’t print that one.” (Sorry Nick that was too funny not to tell!) Nick said “not many of the funny things that happen or have happened involve me directly. Most stuff that happens, I just happen to be there.” Somehow I think if I asked the other guys I might get a different answer. Also, Jeremy didn’t share the story but he did say to ask Phillip about being tangled in Christmas tree lights, after trying to knock over the tree. I plan to get more details on that one in the near future! Grant also gave us something to look for when we see the Kingsmen, “Tony’s classic song,’Some glad day, after awhile’, he only performs it on rare occasions and when he does and I’m playing the bass, it gets so funny I can hardly play on the right beat!” That’s something else I want to check out!
While different in a number of ways, one thing Jeremy and Nick share is variety in the styles of music they like and have listened to. Opera, classical are among Jeremy’s list, with the classical/rock organ/piano styling of Jon Lord is a pick of Nick’s, along with a variety of other music.
Grant fills us in on some of the people who have been influential in his musical career. “Some of the folks that influenced me on the bass guitar are Adam Borden, Tim Surrett, Jeremy Medkiff, Adam Nitti and Jason Self, watching them I learned to be consistent. My dad also influenced me to hear the harmonies in the music.” Now I’ve heard but Grant did not confirm that he also sings so maybe in the near future we will hear another great bass player with the Kingsmen step up and do vocals. That has long been a tradition with the group.
Another common thread for these guys is their dedication to what they do. “I know this may sound cliché, but truly the thought that somehow God can use us as a tool to change someone’s heart and life is what drives me” Nick says, “I’d ask everyone to pray that God continues to use us!” Jeremy states, “No matter how low or high I can sing, or how pretty or bad I may sing, I want people to see that I am real. I’m nothing without the Father. I want people to see me as a person with a desire to minister, that’s what makes us real...the ministry.” He continues, “Know that I am always open if someone has a need, come to me so we can pray. Understand that the only difference between the artists and the fans is about 6 feet… from the stage to their seats. We are all human and will falter just like everyone else. Our walk with the Lord is no easier than anyone else’s. We must strive together to reach the lost.” Grant adds, “I want it to be said that I helped draw a younger crowd into our kind of music and that I have influenced someone’s life in a positive way. My love for music and seeing souls saved is why I do what I do. Pray for the groups, come out and support them, tell them if you appreciate their sound or something they did or said. Try not to be negative to the ones you don’t like. There is nothing worse than leaving your wife, kids, family to go out and sing the gospel and then have someone criticizing you. If you don’t like something they did, pray for them.”
I know that some how Eldridge Fox is looking down and smiling. He knows that the group he loved and lived, is going forward in good hands and that Ray has continued the tradition of finding young new talent to blaze the trail before them. What a great way to celebrate a 50 year tradition.
One footnote – in 2006 we saw several of our young artists go home to heaven during January and February. To the (Doug) Riley, (Warren) Parker, and (Anthony) Burger families, know we have not forgotten these young men and their families. You continue to be in our prayers and we pray that God continues to comfort and bless you as you serve Him. The lives they touched will forever be a testimony to the lives they led.
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Written: 02/01/2007 
Author: Dee Ann Bailey
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DeeAnn Bailey
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